A smile costs nothing but gives much—
It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it—
And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.
It enriches those who receive
Without making poor those who give—
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business
And is the best antidote for trouble—
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is freely given away.
Some people are too busy to give you a smile—
Give them one of yours—
For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly
As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.
It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever.
None are so rich that can get along without it—
And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it.
It enriches those who receive
Without making poor those who give—
It creates sunshine in the home,
Fosters good will in business
And is the best antidote for trouble—
And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is of no value
Unless it is freely given away.
Some people are too busy to give you a smile—
Give them one of yours—
For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly
As he or she who has no more smiles left to give.
Un sourire ne coûte rien et produit beaucoup.
Il enrichit ceux qui le reçoivent
Sans appauvrir ceux qui le donnent.
Il ne dure qu'un instant
Mais son souvenir est parfois éternel.
Personne n'est assez riche pour s'en passer,
Personne n'est assez pauvre pour ne pas le mériter
Il crée le bonheur au foyer, soutient les affaires.
Il est le signe sensible de l'amitié.
Un sourire donne du repos à l'être fatigué,
Rend du courage aux plus découragés.
Il ne peut ni s'acheter, ni se prêter, ni se voler,
Car c'est une chose qui n'a de valeur
Qu'à partir du moment où il se donne.
Et si parfois vous rencontrez une personne
Qui ne sait plus avoir le sourire,
Soyez généreux, offrez-lui le vôtre...
Car nul n'a autant besoin d'un sourire
Que celui qui ne peut en donner aux autres.
Raoul Follereau, "Le Livre d’amour" (1920). French author 1903-1977
Founder of la Fondation Raoul-Follereau which since 1967 helps and defends lepers, especially in the countries of Africa
Read more at http://dicocitations.lemonde.fr/auteur/6355/Raoul_Follereau.php#oy4XP1h…